“After that situation, I honestly considered leaving the building industry altogether.”
One of the things we love most about the Live Life Build community is watching members who’ve been in the game a long time back themselves enough to change how they run things.
This month’s Member Spotlight features Michael O’Sullivan, owner of MCO Builders on Brisbane’s northside.
Michael’s been in the industry for over 26 years and running his own business for 13 of them. He already knew how to build. What he didn’t have was a business that paid him properly for it, and after losing money on jobs and working through a client situation that nearly pushed him out of the industry, he decided the answer wasn’t to work harder.
We caught up with Michael to hear more about his story.
For members who may not know you yet, tell us a bit about your business, what you do and where you’re based.
I’m the owner of MCO Builders, a Brisbane-based building company with over 26 years of experience in the industry and 13 years as a business owner working directly for our clients.
We specialise in renovations, extensions, decks, carports, kitchens, bathrooms, verandahs, patios and shop fit-outs. We work across Brisbane’s northside and the greater Brisbane area, taking pride in quality workmanship, honest communication, and delivering projects on time and on budget. We build spaces our clients can enjoy for years to come.
What was going on for you before you joined, and what made you decide to get involved?
Before joining, I was losing money on jobs and dealing with a nightmare client. After that situation, I honestly considered leaving the building industry altogether.
I knew something had to change, so I decided to invest in learning how to run the business properly instead of just working harder.
What’s been your biggest win since joining Live Life Build?
The biggest win has been understanding my numbers and learning to charge what my business is actually worth. That shift has made a huge difference, not just financially, but personally too.
It’s given me more confidence in my business decisions and, most importantly, helped me get more quality time back with my family.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give another builder or tradie thinking about joining?
Back yourself and invest in learning.
It might seem like a big expense at first, but the right guidance can completely change how you run your business. The investment you make today can pay you back many times over. Not just in profit, but in less stress, better systems, and a better quality of life.
What’s next for you and the business?
The goal is to keep improving the business by building better systems and processes so it doesn’t rely on me being involved in every single decision.
I want to continue growing sustainably, deliver great results for our clients, and create a business that gives me more freedom while maintaining the quality we’re known for.